The impact of technological progress and government intervention on the lives of the Plains Indians during the latter part of the 1800s.
Introduction
For a significant period, the Plains Indians were marginalized and deemed inferior in American society. Throughout history, numerous acts of cruelty have targeted this group. Specific legislation was implemented to limit and suppress their social, cultural, and economic liberties (Document 12). This historical record also reveals that those in authority denied them their basic human rights. Their lifestyle was scorned and frequently considered primitive and outdated.
This paper focuses on the civilization and lifestyle of the Plains Indians during the latter half of the nineteenth century, a period characterized by significant challenges. It argues that advancements in technology and government actions had detrimental consequences for the Plains Indians during this time.
Plains Indians, government actions, and technological developments.
According to Richardson (1881, Document 1), the management of Indian affairs has been a prominent challenge for the US Congress. This issue has been a source of embarrassment and trouble since the beginning of the government, but only recently has there been an attempt to solve these problems in order to achieve success. In the past, the approach was to temporarily address difficulties instead of dealing with the significant long-term problems (US Statutes, 1887, Document 2).
The authorities responsible for handling Indian problems in India have consistently chosen the path of least resistance, leading to only temporary success. An example of this is how the government treated Indian tribes as distinct nations and instructed them, via treaty provisions, to reside in Western reserves. Furthermore, the government actively promoted a lifestyle of savagery for these tribes, neglecting any attempts to bring civilization to them. As a result, the Plains Indians suffered greatly, enduring lives that were both extremely difficult and miserable (Carnergie, 1889, Document 4).
The Plains Indians were compelled to find new hunting grounds due to the encroachment of white settlers near their reservations. These settlers would frequently displace the Plains Indians from their newly acquired hunting grounds whenever they desired to expand their land ownership (Document 3). Consequently, these policies created significant disruptions for the Plains Indians, rendering their lives intolerable. Additionally, these policies are responsible for what is commonly known as the Indian problem, which has resulted in the loss of human lives and the expenditure of millions of dollars in attempts to resolve it.
According to William Serin (Document 6), the Plains Indians suffered more due to technological advancements, which resulted in widespread layoffs. Companies were concerned about high wages during this period of advancements. These developments enabled one worker to perform tasks that previously required ten workers. Consequently, companies aimed to cut costs and boost profits by laying off surplus employees and incorporating the new technology into their operations.
In response to the massive lay-offs, labor unions organized and led revolts and strikes. However, these actions caused a clash with company owners who opposed them. Regrettably, the intense confrontations often turned tragic as guns were used to suppress the riots. Consequently, there was a high number of fatalities, especially among Plains Indian workers. Furthermore, basic freedoms and rights were denied in certain instances. For instance, taverns were instructed not to sell liquor and beet to prevent excessive drinking.
Conclusion
During the second half of the nineteenth century, the Plains Indians had an extremely difficult existence. The combination of government actions and advancements in technology further exacerbated their hardships. Discriminatory policies were implemented by the government to specifically limit and dominate the Plains Indians.
The advancements in technology resulted in numerous Plains Indians losing employment opportunities during the era of rapid industrialization. Furthermore, they faced significant hardships caused by industrial unrest directly linked to these technological advancements.
Technological advancements and government interventions in the second half of the nineteenth century had detrimental effects on the Plains Indians’ lives, as evidenced by this account.
References
Hawk’s AP US History Document Reading Packet Unit 6 was retrieved from http://aristotle.newarka.edu/~bhawk/APUSUnit6.html on January 30, 2009.
